Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Prosecutors won't file felony charges in fatal bike accident

By Seattle Times staff

Prosecutors have decided not to file felony charges against a driver whose dump truck killed 19-year-old bicyclist Bryce Lewis last summer near Seattle's University Bridge.

The truck was turning right, on a green light, from northbound Eastlake Avenue East to Fuhrman Avenue East on Sept. 7. Lewis and a friend were riding straight in the bike lane of Eastlake, toward the bridge, when the truck rolled into their path. There is no evidence the driver was drunk, using drugs or speeding, said Dan Donohoe, spokesman for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Witnesses said the trucker was using his turn signal, and apparently did not see the cyclists approaching, Donohoe said. The case is being referred to the city attorney's office for a potential misdemeanor charge.